AHEAD of the 2018 Port Adelaide Football Club Best and Fairest event on October 5, we thought we would profile some of the players who could be in contention to win the coveted John Cahill Medal.
Steven Motlop showed moments of absolute brilliance as well as the ability to play a role in his first season at the club.
After coming across from Geelong, he showed his game-breaking ability with his poise, speed and composure to kick the winning goal in the Round 8 Showdown.
The 27-year-old knows how to find the ball and provides run and carry and creativity playing as a classy link between the midfield and the forward line or as a forward in his own right.
Key stats
Steven Motlop played all but one game after being a late withdrawal from the Round 18 clash with GWS because of illness.
He averaged 17.6 disposals per game, down slightly on his career average of 18.0, while he also took fewer marks (2.8 per game, down on career average of 3.3) and scored less with 11 goals for the year (0.5 goals per game, down from 1.2)
Settling into his new surroundings, he had 7.4 handballs per game, one more than his career average and he upped his tackling rate to have 3.1 per game from 2.5.
Key games
Motlop immediately endeared himself to the Port Adelaide faithful averaging 18.7 touches in his first three games and booting five goals.
He booted two classy goals against Fremantle in Round 1 to go with 19 touches, three marks, and three tackles.
The most memorable performance came in Round 8 against Adelaide when he chipped in with 20 disposals, four marks, and four tackles - but it was his goal with 21 seconds remaining that won the game.
He had 28 disposals (a season-high) against St Kilda in Round 16, which came with seven marks and six tackles as he tore the Saints to shreds with his typical run and carry through the midfield.
Motlop also had 28 disposals in the loss to Collingwood in Round 22, along with two marks and four tackles.
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